Arne Slot offers Trent Alexander-Arnold contract update as Liverpool star nears return

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has remained tight-lipped on the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold, despite the player's potential departure looming. The Anfield vice-captain, sidelined since February with an ankle injury, is back in training and could be set for a return to action.

Speculation is rife that Alexander-Arnold may be spending his final months at Liverpool, with his contract due to expire at season's end. Real Madrid, having shown keen interest in January, are tipped as his likely destination come summer.

Slot, however, has dodged questions about the defender's career plans, insisting he will not discuss Alexander-Arnold's future until a decision has been made. This stance comes even though teammates Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah have secured their futures with new deals.

The Dutch coach hinted that Alexander-Arnold might make the bench for the upcoming Leicester clash, expressing satisfaction with the player's dedication. In his press conference, Slot maintained his policy of silence on transfer matters: "No, I think you would be surprised if I answered differently to the rest of the season," he stated.

"It is for hours the same answer: we don't talk about these things when they are not done and they are not."

"Trent is coming back from injury and trained with us this week, he has shown his commitment and he shows me what a player he is when he is on a pitch and how much he works hard to be back with the team and the fans of LFC, everyone who watches football knows he is an incredible full-back for this club, so let's see what the future brings.

"Trent is not ready to start but if things go well today and tomorrow, he might be on the bench. First session with the team was wednesday, so not able to start but let's see if he can join us, would be nice if he is with us."

Slot was more forthcoming about Van Dijk, following his signing of a new two-year contract. "It tells you that we want to keep our best players, the ones who have had great seasons for so many years," Slot stated.

"That we are able to keep them as free agents tells you the ambitions we have for the coming years. Virgil is so important to us, great personality and great player."

He added: "It's difficult to describe, you know how important he is when you see him play, everyone has complimented him over the years as a defender. I mostly watch football and look at possession, he is so, so good at bringing it out from the back.

"The diagonal passes, the through ball, the leader he is, that is something I haven't worked with before, the energy he brings to the team, how professional he is and how he tries to help his team-mates."